Obligation

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.- Ephesians 3:16-19

Our obedience to God isn’t significant or relevant, it’s not the core. The core of our lives is our relationship with God. Out of our relationship with God our behavior and obedience will radiate. Stop putting your external behavior as the turning point, or you will get stuck. Move forward in love.

Are you trying to be good person by doing Godly things—reading the Bible, praying and serving those in need. That’s great! Does your spiritual life still seem dry?

Stop DOING out of a sense of duty and obligation.

DO because you are in love with God and you want to know Him and offer up your life to Him. You may think you are doing everything a good Christian should do.? But feel like God isn’t coming through for you and giving you abundant joy..? Christianity only works if you’re in love with God. Stop trying to please God and simply love Him. Stop doing things out of obligation. Focus on the things that enhance your relationship with Him. I am feel loved the most when my husband helps me clean or tackle a project that needs to be completed or just needs to be done. To me that’s better than getting a dozen roses. He does those things because he loves me and I know deep down it brings him joy to do something for me that he knows I love and what we do for God is the same way.

Have you ever read “If you love me, you will obey what I command”-John 14:15 What God is saying is saying is that when we truly love Him, our obedience to Him will flow out of our relationship. God’s love for us is so great. For Him to allow His Son to go through such pain for me—and for you—it’s overwhelming. I can't help but love Him in return. Can you?

You can fulfill God’s commands in the Bible better by falling in love with Him rather than just trying to obey everything.